New Type of Tracks - Chanel Tracks

[riotwarrior]

Wow amazing thread, lots of info. I'm quite interested in these and wonder how well with the Muscateer they would work? I'd have to swap to much shorter tyre...say 20" I think!

[drjim1948]

Patenteux (Marcel) is the inventor and manufacturer. I suspect that he would be delighted to figure it out with you.

[riotwarrior]

Patenteux (Marcel) is the inventor and manufacturer. I suspect that he would be delighted to figure it out with you.

Ya we are emailing back/forth now, however there is a clearance issue for my tyres right now. I've got one finger tip on the top of my tyre and it just touches the tub

I've got to go down to 20" diamter tyres...ugh! and maybe slightly narrower too like 10" width. I've asked if he can recommend a tyre but no recommendations at this time.

[AKdutch]

So how do you go about buying a set of these tracks? I can't find a website or any information about the tracks except what's on this website. John

[drjim1948]

Contact Patenteux. His name is Marcel Cousineau. If you can't find him, I can send you his e-mail.

[twinlakemike]

This is what I have figured out about the tracks. We all know that the Adair’s are a very good and well documented and proven track system, (plenty of video and testimony on their use and love) a great product. The Chanel tracks are new to the game and not so well documented but from the videos and testimony that I have seen they are also a very good product, not a bad word that I can find. From what I have seen the Adairs will swim better than the Chanel tracks (the UMHW is almost neutral in weight in the water and the paddle design moves more water than the steel Chanel on the Chanel track) on the other hand the Chanel track design makes for lower gearing and the Chanel its self will dig into hard ground better than the UMHW (frozen ground, trees, hard packed clay, ice) the Chanel tracks are cheaper than the Adairs but from what I have seen here and been told you will want track keepers or disconnect you front chain to avoid drive train strain. It looks like to me that in deep snow it is about even unless you add the snow kit to the Adairs then they seem to work better. The only other thing is that the guy at Chanel track seems to be willing to make custom tracks of different widths. I don’t know whether one is better than another I think it is dependent on what kind of train you are running on. Well this is my two cents worth of input, from what I have seen and heard please don’t think I am bad mouthing either track system they both seem like excellent products and both makers are great people to talk to and work with. I wish I was smart enough to have come up with either design. I really don’t think you can go wrong with either system.
This is Twin Lake Mike, over and out.

[Rock Doctor]

This is what I have figured out about the tracks. We all know that the Adair’s are a very good and well documented and proven track system, (plenty of video and testimony on their use and love) a great product. The Chanel tracks are new to the game and not so well documented but from the videos and testimony that I have seen they are also a very good product, not a bad word that I can find. From what I have seen the Adairs will swim better than the Chanel tracks (the UMHW is almost neutral in weight in the water and the paddle design moves more water than the steel Chanel on the Chanel track) on the other hand the Chanel track design makes for lower gearing and the Chanel its self will dig into hard ground better than the UMHW (frozen ground, trees, hard packed clay, ice) the Chanel tracks are cheaper than the Adairs but from what I have seen here and been told you will want track keepers or disconnect you front chain to avoid drive train strain. It looks like to me that in deep snow it is about even unless you add the snow kit to the Adairs then they seem to work better. The only other thing is that the guy at Chanel track seems to be willing to make custom tracks of different widths. I don’t know whether one is better than another I think it is dependent on what kind of train you are running on. Well this is my two cents worth of input, from what I have seen and heard please don’t think I am bad mouthing either track system they both seem like excellent products and both makers are great people to talk to and work with. I wish I was smart enough to have come up with either design. I really don’t think you can go wrong with either system.
This is Twin Lake Mike, over and out.

I think I kind of agree with TLM, except...
I was thinking that running Track Tuners, instead of removing the front chains, would be a good way to relieve chain wind-up (Since it's the center tires that are continually trying to "spin-out" inside the tracks). Also, (FOR WHERE I RIDE), I like the ability to run narrower tracks with no axle extensions (This point is, of course, personal preferance).
One last thing, due to my proven ability to get out of any track design that I've ever tried, I really wonder how well the Chanel Tracks stay on the tires when the machine is loaded heavy. The worst times for me, with any track design, is when I have to turn coming up out of a hole/ditch, or when trying to force the machine to turn up out of a set of deep ruts (Rear track on inside of turn will try to walk off tires).

I almost had a chance to try the similar design of Escargo Tracks, but missed the opportunity.

RD

[Buzz]

What I've discovered is that on this "style" of track....the crossers-guides at the sidewall level cannot change distance in relation to one another (affixed to the belting). The radius shape of the crosser itself and the fact the the crosser "is also the guide" also makes it very resistant to obstacles on the ground "levering" it around. The only portion touching the ground is pinned directly under the tire. I guess my point is other than the wider wheelbase required, the design is by far the most resistant to coming off while side-hilling and maneuvering through tussock-fields, and just heavily-loaded skid-turning in general. An even bigger improvement would be to steepen the "upturn" of the crosser (guide portion) so that the guide-portion is not angled "out" as much. Just my input so as to make the chanel crossers more difficult to drive out of.

[Old Tucker]

I think a lot of the problem with the track coming off. Is the tire itself is to rounded for the track and it allows the track to twist itself off the tire . Most grousers are flat where the tire sits. and you put a rounded tire on that and of course the track is going to roll itself off. When you put a lot of side force on it. It also will want to pop the bead off the rim.
What I did is go to a little wider tire and rim to match the track.. I will let you know how this works out . I hope my theory is right. As for using the tires I have without the tracks. It just makes the argo to hard to turn. And puts to much strain on every thing. For my liking. Now with the tracks on she will turn on a dime with very little effort. I will be using a different tire for the summer
I am running 8PSI in the mid tires and 9PSI on the ends With track tuners. When you are in snow you are not as concerned about a nice soft ride.

[brebett]

Hi guys, there is about 12" of snow here. No chance to really try it yet but coming up a hill in that snow is just like nothing. the same place with tires they were spinning and coudn't go up the hill.
As for the tires I don't know about round tires because I have wide agressive tires on my avenger. But Marcel ( the manufacturer) runs it with stock tire ( rawhide 111).
I had my argo loaded very heavy coming out of my moose camp. Never had any problem track coming off. Also easier to turn. I have all kind of terrains, mud, rut, beaver dame, mountain, rocks and so on. Never had any issues.
I will try to post a picture of my argo with the chanel track.

[brebett]

I didn't out find how to put picture of my argo with the amazing chanel track. I'll keep on trying.

[brebett]

I just put a picture in the gallery ( tire,track and wheels) titled "chanel track"

[old silverback]

Anyone put chanel tracks on max iv with 26x12x12 tires? steve

[North Country Tough]

I have been watching these tracks and want to buy a set in the new year but I have to get one question answered before the winter is gone,need to know the performance of these in slush with very cold temps like -25 to -35,Iam sre they will go thru the slush as well as my current rubber tracks maybe better with their ability to clean out,but my real question is when travelling thru slush and then on to snow back into slush in the cold do the steel grouser bars build up with ice on the inside hindering traction from the tires.You see snow and lake travel in all conditions and temps is what I do,and the rubber has worked very well as the entire surface flexes and resists ice buildup,they seam to clear themselves well and have never lost traction to the tires,if anyone is using these tracks in this condition tell me your results,when I get to my camp I have no where to put the machine in and thaw them down so this is a big thing to my situation.NCT

[Old Tucker]

When we get some snow around here. I will let you know how the tracks worked out. The winter started out looking to be a good one. But then it warmed up. Where I ride by now we would have 5 feet of snow. This winter < If we are lucky we have 6 Inches of snow And I sure do not think that is much of test for the tracks. On a lot of the routes we take I have to drop down into the Xditch full of water then climb backup the other side onto dry-power snow. It will be interesting to see how the tracks perform. And being able to side hill is a must. I cannot be sliding off the trail and going over the side of the mountain.. (Let it snow let it snow) I have all ready been looking at how to modify them. I did go to a hinge on the belts instead of the overlap. It only makes sense. You take two pieces of half inch belting and bolt them together and they become very stiff. Now try rapping that around the tire. Yes, there is give in the system. But why not try to make things run a smooth a possible.
When we get snow I will let you all know how it works. Now I hope that (MURPHY) STAYS HOME WHEN I DO GO OUT. I hope he heard that.

Have a MARRY CHRISTMAS every one